Caitlyn Kaufman, a 26-year-old Nashville nurse, was fatally shot as she drove down Interstate 440 westbound between Hillsboro Pike and West End Avenue on Dec. 3, 2020, Metro Nashville police said. She is a Butler High School and BC3 graduate. Submitted Photo

“DeVaunte Hill is responsible for Caitlyn Kaufman's death. He's the person who pulled the trigger and ended her life.”

That is how the public defender representing Hill, 23, of Tennessee began her opening statement on the third day of the trial of Hill and co-defendant James Cowan, 29, who have been charged with first degree murder in the December 2020 death of Kaufman.

Kaufman, 26, of Chicora, was shot and killed Dec. 3 on Interstate 440 in Nashville. She was driving from her home in Lebanon, Tenn., to St. Thomas West Hospital, where she worked as an intensive care nurse.

The trial began Monday with jury selection in Davidson County Court in Nashville.

Georgia Sims, the Davidson County assistant deputy public defender representing Hill, told the jury that shooting at Kaufman’s vehicle was a “gross over-reaction” by Hill to Kaufman cutting off him and Cowan in traffic. She said Cowan was driving during the incident.

She said Hill is not guilty of first degree murder because he did not act with a “conscious desire” to end her life. She said Hill deserves justice and not vengeance.

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